Change Can Be Scary Unless You Look at It Like This…

Here we are – a few days away from 2016. It’s been an awesome year and now we look out and wonder- What is the next year going to look like? What are my goals? My Dad asked me – “Cee (nickname), what are your New Year’s resolutions this year?”

It’s freaking daunting! What a massive amount of pressure we put on ourselves to accomplish big things in 12 months. I am here to offer a few thoughts to look at change in a different way.

What if things are just great right now? Just as they are. Perhaps you are happy with how you feel at work or your workouts are the best ever. Maybe you can pause for a moment and enjoy your accomplishments. Set a smaller goal when you are ready. Why run a marathon when the 15k was a huge step? Take a moment and recognize what is working and do not make unnecessary changes.

Why does it have to be New Years? Guess what – you could wake up on February 1st and set a goal too. It doesn’t have to be December 31st of January 1st. Perhaps you set one small goal at the beginning of every month. For example: I am going to make 5 additional calls every Wednesday at 4:00pm or I am only going to have one cup of coffee instead of two this month. If we pile everything on at the beginning of the year we are less likely to follow through. Spread’em out!

What if we just do more of what we love? Monetary goals are nice but money sure as hell does not buy happiness. The last time you completely forgot about all of your responsibilities and got lost in your passion- whether it is sailing, dancing, hunting, golfing, or for me, speaking – that’s pure joy. That’s what its all about. How about we make a goal to do more of that? If you make one measurable goal, weave in more of what you LOVE.

I was a panel speaker last month for a Women in Sales group. The best quote did not come from me- it came from my peer on the panel. She said, “I have been so many versions of Brittany – I can’t even count!” Meaning we are all making changes and trying on new ideas to get us closer to who we really are – the authentic us. Remember nothing is permanent – if the new goal or idea doesn’t fit well on you, simply shed it and move on.